Darn Labs..it's MMMT

NoTimeForCancer said:

What is grf?  I am not

What is grf?  I am not familiar with that. I might say "DUH!" when you tell me, but I have so many acronyms in my daily life I can't keep track of them all.

It is probably a Neulasta shot to help build up your white cell count. I had six of them and no reaction. Some people have some serous bone pain. I was told to take one Claratin a day. I had 18 chemos. One each week for three weeks, a Neulasta shot and then one week off. I was a stage 3c UPSC and finished treatment including my radiation in Feb. Feel good and looking forward to one year of NED.

dshapiro said:

gfr

Sorry, GFR is for kidney function.  Your kidney should function above a certain level or, a fully functioning kidney would be like 70 or above.  My kidneys are in decline and have been but it is a slow decline.  I have a real concern going that all the surgery, more specifically the anesthesia, from my last two back to back procedures may have already reduced my GFR and now with chemo starting I'm afraid I'll go right from chemo to dialisys when chemo is done.

Since my hysterectomy was on Nov 6th I'm not sure if the hospital will run blood work prior to my port placement since it is being done at the same hospital.  Hope they do. 

In truth, I'm beginning to question a few things about chemo. Like, my carcinosarcoma was staged 1A and was found inside a polyp inside the uterus which has been removed.  Chemo is a preventative measure like chasing down one wayward cell out of the millions in my body.  I am asking the question.......is this really needed at this time especially now that the CT came back clean?  I know this is a **** of a cancer and that I am hugely lucky it was found so early.  So, questioning the toll this will take on my body, mind, life, family and, well, you all know those questions.  I also know that should the cancer come back within the next year hitting a different organ I won't be able to have the same chemo done but will have to move to a more toxic therapy. So, do I wait and see or do I just get this done and get on with life?  

I know these are questions everyone here has asked themselves and I know I'm the only one who can answer these questions for me........But, really?  So, that's my rant for today.  Just another day in the cancer lane of life. 

Thanks, All, for letting me get this out which I hope will help me with my decision.  You guys are all GREAT!   

Debbe

 

Debbe,

i post for my sister in law Kelly. She was diagnosed in 2012 in Southern California with uterine carcinosarcoma/MMMT, we went to Sloan Kettering for a second opinion and they asked for all the slides from the surgery to do their own pathology. They found cancer was in more lymph nodes than doctors in SC found. This cancer is definitely one worth getting second opinions on before making decisions.

Nicki

dshapiro said:

Thank you, All,for your

Thank you, All,for your information and advise.  I am going to go ahead with the chemo as that was my initial gut feeling and chasing down that one cell with this type of cancer is for the best in the long run.  Doctor has stated that because my stage was 1A and most likely still contained within the polyp inside the uterus adn that chemo will reduce my chances of recurrance from the current 20% to 10%.  I'll take the reduction though I am not looking forward to it at all.

I'll keep posting as the treatments progress and maybe that will help the next person along as you have all helped me.

Debbie

This just came up for the first time for me three weeks ago.  I just went through the normal pre-treatment tests including urine on Friday, apparently this is a potential side effect of Avastin which I am currently being treated with.  I will find out tomorrow if it is a one time thing or the beginning of a new trend for me.  Hopefully it isn't!  Hugs, Anne

dshapiro said:

It begins...

Hey All, 

I have my shiney new port installed and so far the labs don't want to use it and will keep poking my veins for blood work.  That just leaves chemo and future CTs for this little needle bucket under the skin.  The actually procedure went really well.  The meds given for the procedure were pretty useless as I was wide awake thru the whole thing so thank goodness the tech had the guts to really numb everything up perfectly as I really didn't feel a thing unless he was pressing on the port to potition it and that was only pressure.  No pain at all.  However, aroung midnight when the numbing started to wear off...............oh boy!  Made it thru that healing process without pain meds and only a bit of pulling and soreness now.  

During my chemo training with the chemo nurses I finally blasted out about why the docs don't hand out xanex, at the very least, when patients have to start dealing with this beastie called cancer.  Before I left chemo training I had my xanex script in hand and it has made a world of difference in my inner self. I can finally think about all this without the mental pain and stress which allows me to get a good night's sleep and allows me to get stuff done without that mental bog down.  

My first chemo treatment is on Jan 7th.  But, going to push that back to the deepest part of my brain until close to start time so I can enjoy the holidays with my family and friends.  

I truly hope you are all going to have a great year with your families this year as well.   

Debbie

Hi, Debbie,

I am glad to hear that you have your port and that your surgery is behind you.  I remember how painful it was afterwards for me, as though someone was trying to pull the muscles out of my chest.  That, too, passed, thank goodness.  When I had my first round of chemo, Carbo/Taxol, I wish the nurse told me in advance that I would probably need to use the bathroom due to so much fluid entering my body.  I almost didn't make it to the toilet fast enough, what with the IV pole, bags, etc. that I had to drag into the tiny room with me!  Rounds 2 through 6 didn't seem to have quite the same affect as that first round.

Have you made any plans for when you will lose your hair?  I was able to pick up two wigs from the local American Cancer Society office.  Have you been to the office nearest you?  The ACS staff is wonderful and very supportive.  I discovered an entire room filled to the brim with free wigs and wig products! It made the horror of losing my hair somewhat more tolerable.  Two weeks after my first chemo, my thick shoulder length hair came out in clumps.  I had it cut short so that the loss was not quite as noticeable.  Some women shave their heads, but I didn't think that was a good idea for me.  By the sixth chemo round, I was bald and was pretty much use to wearing my wigs by then.  Losing my eyebrows and eyelashes was another crushing blow.  That happened later in the chemo treatment process.  Until that happened and my coloring became pasty, I thought that I could pass for "normal".  I didn't want the world to look at me and see an ill woman!  The last thing I wanted was to draw attention to myself and my sickly appearance.  I admire those brave souls who don't care what others think and proudly display their bald heads.

I wish you only the best with treatment!

Cathy

dshapiro said:

That is a great point about

That is a great point about chemo, Cathy!  

My chemo nurse did advise that I wear a pad especially my first day because the bathroom urge can come on pretty fast and yes, you do have to drag the equipment in with you so that is super of you to bring that forward for everyone.  It's the little things...ya know?  lol.

Right now I'm trying to figure out how to draw eyebrows.  I may be a very rare woman but I've never had to draw or add color or anything to my eyebrows.  I can't find a stencil that mimics my natural eyebrows.  

Debbie

1. Try  today attend a Look Good, Feel Good program.  It is sponsored by the American Cancer  Society.  It is a free program.  You will get free make up and tips for applying it.  They also showed ways to tie scarves and had some free wigs available at the one I went to.  Hope you can find one in your area.  My Cancer centers offer them at intervals.  
2. Good luck with your first chemo.   I hope your port area is less painful now.  You said your lab was not using the port.  I have all my la s drawn from my port.  On chemo days, they use the port to draw the lab, and leave the needle in for chemo.  
3. Hope you have a Merry Christmas.